City Council Agenda Suggestion

Agenda Suggestion    October 25, 2013 9:28 AM

From:  “Newton White” <NWhite0@cfl.rr.com>
To:   “Greg Kisela” <gkisela@port-orange.org>
Reply To:  “Newton White” <nwhite0@cfl.rr.com>
Mr. Kisela,
Listening to the criticism that department heads are not present for council meetings and observing that things that are discussed by council come at the hurried end of often long meetings, when few if any staff or citizens are still there or watching.
I would suggest that the Council Comments and Concerns be moved to just after Citizen Participation, and that at least a senior staff person from each department be present until that item is complete.
Only staff with agenda items would need to stay until their item has finished.
Much of councils concerns about the walk lights, parks, medians, crime and such come after your staff has left. Would it not be better for them to hear the elected officials concerns first hand and make them able to respond during the meeting? This would also have the same advantage for citizens.
Doing it this way would not cause a major disruption to the work week as would having to be present at 3 and 4 hour meetings, and would help serve our council and community better.
Thank You,
Newton White

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